Subject/Protocol:STEMI / Cardiac Bypass

Last Revision:January 2010Protocol No.:A-1 (B)

The term “Bypass” is used to describe the process by which Calhoun County EMS personnel have the ability to transport a patient directly from the scene to a primaryPercutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) capable hospitalrather than Memorial Medical Center (a non-PCI hospital). EMS will recommend to patients meeting STEMI criteriathat a PCI-Capable facility is preferable. If the patient chooses not to go to a PCI facility, the patient should be made aware that the referral facility may transfer them to a receiving PCI facility at a later time for treatment and the risks associated with that delay.

Indications for Application:

Patient who is experiencing chest pain or discomfort OR experiencing symptoms consistent with typical angina / infarct events.

Conditions

Patient is alert and 16 years of age.

Current episode of cardiac symptoms 15 minutes and 12 hours in duration.

Paramedic interpretation of the 12 lead ECG identifies STEMI (ST segment elevation 1 millimeter in two or more anatomically contiguous leads).

Time from patient contact to arrival at PCIhospital will be 90 minutes. (Consider transport to PCI facility even if timeframe exceeds 90 minutes.)

Contraindications:

Patients meeting the following criteria may require transport to the closest appropriate hospital:

Hemodynamically unstable patient

Heart rate 60 or 160 beats per minute

Systolic blood pressure 90 mmHg

Severe respiratory distress

Guidelines and Standing Orders:

12 Lead ECG Rapid Assessment

Acquire 12 lead ECG within 10 minutes of arrival at patient’s side.

Identify ST segment elevation of one millimeter or more (one small box) present inanatomically contiguous leads.

anatomically contiguous leads are:

(1)Inferior leads (II, III and aVF)

(2)Septal leads (V1 and V2)

(3)Anterior leads (V3 and V4)

(4)Lateral leads (“high lateral” I, aVL, “low lateral” V5 and V6)

In addition, any two precordial leads that are next to one another are contiguous. Also remember that a normal 12 leaddoes not rule outan AMI.

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Subject/Protocol:STEMI / Cardiac Bypass (continued)

Last Revision:February 2010Protocol No.:?

Treatment and Transport

Follow “General Guidelines and Standing Orders” in CCEMS General Cardiac Care (Suspected MI) protocol A-1.

Transmit 12 lead ECG to the appropriate PCI hospital as soon as it is obtained and destination is determined (If transmission fails, contact the hospital immediately).

Provide a patient report to the destination hospital.

Scene time should not exceed 15 minutes. Rapid transport is essential. Ongoing assessment and treatment must be performed while en route to the destination hospital.

Contact the receiving facility as soon as possible. Ample notification will allow the receiving facility to prepare for the STEMI patient. The 12-lead should be transmitted once it is obtained without delay.

Inquire regarding patient preference of PCI-Capable facility. If there is no preference, the patient will be taken to the nearest PCI-Capable facility.

Regardless of clinical presentation, patients who meet the criteria for this protocol are considered unstable, emergent patients and should be treated and transported as such.

Ensure that the patient is aware of the benefits of bypassing to a PCI facility, including availability of a cardiologist and a cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL)

Patients that present to CCEMS with cardiac symptoms associated with AMI but do not have abnormal ECG findings will also be treated per “General Guidelines and Standing Orders” in CCEMS General Cardiac Care (Suspected MI) protocol A-1. CCEMS will recommend to these patients that transport to a hospital with PCI capabilities and the availability of a cardiologist is preferable.